IT’S THE TIME of the year when congressmen and senators are busy with all sorts of investigations seemingly in aid of legislation but really in aid of their re-election and demolition of whoever is the perceived strongest contender against their favorite presidential candidate.
The funny thing is that the next midterm elections are still a year to go and the next presidential election is still four years away. Then again, this is the Philippines and the first thing anybody elected does as soon as he assumes office is to ensure his re-election or his chosen successor.
Indeed, the circus is in town, so send in the clowns.
Anyway, since the clown are here and doing everything humanely or otherwise to get our vote, let’s talk politics and other stuff.
And the first thing that comes to mind is “maisog”, a Visayan word that means “brave” in English and coincidentally is also the name of a group of politicians and their followers obviously from the Visayan-speaking regions of Southern Philippines.
Lately, it seems some politicians are afraid of “Maisog” and doing everything within or beyond their powers to stop this group from staging rallies which is awkward as it is the constitutional right of Filipinos to “assemble peaceably and petition the government for redress of grievances.”
According to a social media statement from the “Maisog” people, “the Maisog rallies, held across the nation are not about war, destruction, or chaos. They are a peaceful venue for people to voice their concerns, requests, and dissatisfaction. These rallies demonstrate unity and aim to consolidate unfulfilled promises from the government, urging leaders to truly listen to the people.”
There you go, nothing destabilizing about them, just a bunch of disgruntled folks airing their grievances, endorsing their preferred candidates as is expected. The best parallel would be that forgotten “Tindig Pilipinas” who made a lot of noises endorsing losing presidential candidate Leni Robredo and eventually disappeared into oblivion with her.
Speaking of clowns, some people are accusing President Marcos Jr of abusing his powers. At the moment it would be safe to say that he has not, despite the fact that some of his “hangers on” are toeing the line.
So far, President Marcos Jr. has not prosecuted the opposition and his critics, allows the media/press to freely report on the government without harassment. Of course, Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ rabid persecution of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) is something else, whatever her ulterior motives are, is another story.
President Marcos personally, launched “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan’ (BIDA), as his commitment to continue the war on drugs within the framework of the law and with respect for human rights.
Although the 2016 Arbitral Decision on the South China Sea flash point is the “legacy” of the late President Noynoy Aquino, President Marcos Jr. nevertheless upholds and supports it.
Despite the obvious tension between First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte, President Marcos Jr. appointed and supported the Vice President as Secretary of Education, Co-Vice Chairperson of NTF-ELCAC and continues to trust her with the reins of government as the caretaker whenever he goes on official trips abroad.
Meanwhile, in a press release from the House of Representatives, they say 20,233 Filipinos were killed in just 17 months of the Duterte drug war.
So, what are their names and where are their bodies? Twenty-thousand plus killed is a huge number. The funeral parlors must have made a killing (pun intended) with all these corpses, yet during those times not a single picture/video of these funeral parlors overflowed with corpses.
Remember the aftermath of Typhon Yolanda – the streets of Tacloban City were literally awash with rotting corpses stacked on the streets like garbage and the official body count was only around 6,000. Imagine 20,233 corpses all over the Metro Manila. Perhaps all these numbers are just figments of someone’s malicious imagination.
Indeed, the circus is in town, all that’s needed are performing bears and a one-eyed midget for Congress to be a three-ring circus./PN
